Folding step-ladder.



No. 811,616. PATENTE'D FEB. 6, 1906. G. W. BUSS.

FOLDING STEP LADDER.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 17.1906.

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GEORGE W. BUSS, OF WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING STEP-LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1906.

Application filed July 17,1905. Serial No. 269,979.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. Buss, a citizen of the United States,residing at Woburn, county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts,have invented an Improvement in Folding Step-Ladders, of which thefollow ing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, isa specification, like nun'oerals on the drawings representing likeparts.

This invention has for its object to provide a novel folding step ladderin which the framework supporting the tread folds as well as the legs orbraces. The framework of my step-ladder comprises two stiles, whichpreferably are inclined toward each other and each of which is pivotedat its upper end to the top tread or cap-piece, and a plurality oftreads which may be of different lengths, which are pivotally connectedto one stile and are slidably connected to the other stile. With thisconstruction the two stiles of the ladder may be folded together, thuscondens ing the step-ladder into a minimum space.

The particular features wherein my invention resides will be more fullyhereinafter described and then. pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a section taken just inside the outermembers of the stile. Fig. 2 is a side view. Fig. 3 is an edge viewshowing the ladder folded, and Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 3.

The ladder comprises two stiles or side pieces which support betweenthem the treads 3 and the cap-piece or top step 4. Each stile is shownas comprising two members 5, which 1 are connected by tread-supports,herein shown as rods or rungs 6, and also preferably by suitablecross-pieces 7, the function of which will be explained more fullyhereinafter. The treads 3 are supported upon the rods 6. Each tread ispivoted at one end to a rod 6 of one stile and rests on and has slidingengagement with a rod 6 of the other stile. The side pieces or stilesare shown as converging toward the top of the ladder, and therefore thetreads 3 are of different lengths, the lowest tread being the longestand the upper tread the shortest; but this converging of the stiles isnot essential to the invention.

In order to get the proper sliding movement between each tread and oneof .its treadsupporting rods 6, I prefer to provide each tread with asuitable slot, through which the rod extends. This slot may be made inany suitable way, and as herein shown it is formed by a suitableguide-piece S, which is secured to the under side of the tread and formsbetween it and the tread a runway for the corresponding rod 6 to slidein. The upper end of each stile is pivoted to the cappiece, 4. With thisconstruction it will be seen that the ladder can be folded, as shown. inFig. 3, by merely swinging the right-hand side piece or stile in Fig. 1upwardly with relation to the other and toward the other, the treads 3sliding on the rods 6 of the left-hand. stile, Fig. 1, during suchfolding operation.

Where the stiles of the ladder converge at the top, so that the treadsare of different lengths, it is necessary to provide this slidingconnection between the treads and one of the stiles in order that theladder may be folded, as described.

It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the treads and the tread-supportingrods do not stand. perpendicular to the members 5 of the side pieces orstiles, and therefore when the ladder is folded. said treads have the anular relation to the tread-supporting rods s lOWll in Fig. 4. To permitthis twisting or angular movement, I have pivoted the treads to the rodsof one stile by means of eyes orstaples 9, which permit the necessaryturning or twisting movement of the treads with relation to the rods 6.I prefer also to pivot the stiles to the capiece 4 in the same manner.

In or or to hold the ladder firm when it is opened ready for use, asshown in Figs. 1 and 2, I employ suitable toggle-lever or knucklejointbraces 10, which are pivoted to the two stiles and which whenstraightened, as shown in Fig. 1, firmly hold the stiles separated. To

further brace the structure and make it a rigid one when. unfolded, Iemploy the crosspieces or cleats 7 on the left-hand stile, Fig. 1, saidcross-pieces being so positioned that when the ladder is fully open theextremity of-the treads are brought hard against the under side of thecross-pieces by the turning movement of the treads about the treadsupports 6 of the left-hand stile, said treads being firmly held in thisposition by the braces 10. The combined action of the braces and thelever purchase which is thus obtained on the treads makes the ladderoxtremelyfirni. The loops or guides 8 are also so positioned that whenthe ladder is open and the braces 10 straightened, as shown in Fig. 1,the rods 6 are forced hard against the ends of the guides, as seen bestin Fig. 1. I have also provided certain of the treads with ears 1].which hook over the cleats 7 on the right-hand stile, Fig. 1, when theladder is unfolded and in condition for use, said ears serving inconnection with the guides 10 to assist in holding the structure firmlyin its open position.

13 designates legs or braces for supporting the ladder in its uprightposition. I propose to hinge one leg to theupper end of each stile, asat 14, and to connect each leg with a corresponding stile by means of atoggle or knuckle jointed brace 15.

The two legs 13 are connected together by means of a similar brace 16.In folding the ladder the first step is to buckle the braces 15 and foldthe legs against the stiles. The braces 10 and 16 are then buckled andthe right-hand stilefFig. 1,moved upwardly with relation to theleft-hand-stile and toward the latter. As a result the ladder foldstogether transversely, as shown in Fig. 3, and when folded it occupies aminimum space. The construction is such that when the ladder is unfoldedor opened out, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it is firmly braced and isvery rigid.

I have shown the lower tread as provided with a gain 17, which fits theunder side of the lower crosspiece 7, and thereby assists in holding thestructure rigid.

While I have herein shown one simple way of locking the stiles in theiropen positionto wit, the braces 10yet my invention is not necessarilylimited to this'structure, as any appropriate locking device may beused.

One of the important features of my invention is the pivoting of thetreads to one stile and providing a sliding connection between saidtreads and the other stile, thereby permitting treads of differentlengths to be used, and another important feature is the provision ofthe cleats 7, against which the ends of the treads are firmly held bythe opening movement of the ladder, whereby the ladder is made verystiff and rigid.

Having fully described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a folding step-ladder, a pair of stiles, each comprising twomembers, tread-supports connecting said members, and a series of treadspivoted to the tread-supports of one stile and having a slidingengagement with those of the other stile.

2. In a folding step-ladder, a pair of stiles each comprising two,members, tread-supports connecting said members, a series of treads ofdifferent lengths pivoted to the tread-supports of one stile and havinga sliding engagement with those of the other stile, and a cap-piece ofless length than the shortest1 tread pivoted to the upper end of eachsti e.

3. In a folding step-ladder, a pair of stiles each having a plurality oftread-supports, a series of treads, each tread pivoted at one end to atread-support of one stile and resting at the other end on atread-support of the other stile, and cleats on said latter stile toengage the upper side of the treads as the ladder is opened.

4. In a folding step-ladder, a pair of stiles, a plurality of treads ofdifferent length, each tread being pivoted to one stile and having asliding pivotal connection with the other stile, and a cleat on thelatter stile to engage the upper side of the extreme end of each treadas the ladder is opened.

5. In a folding step-ladder, a pair of stiles, each comprising twomembers connected by tread-supports, a series of treads pivoted to thetread-supports of one stile and having sliding engagement with those ofthe other stile, and cross-pieces connecting the mem bers of the latterstile and arranged to be engaged by the upper side of the treads whenthe ladder is open for use.

6. In a folding step-ladder, a pair of stiles, each comprising twomembers connected by tread-supporting rods, a series of treads, eachtread pivoted at one end to a rod of one stile and resting at the otherend on a rod of the other stile and a guide secured to each tread andembracing the corresponding rod of the latter stile.

7. In a folding step-ladder, a pair of stiles i each comprising twomembers connected by tread-supports, a series of treads pivoted to thetread-supports of one stile and slidably connected to the tread-supportsof the other stile, and jointed braces connecting the stiles.

8. In a foldingstep-ladder, a pair of stiles each comprising two membersconnected by tread-supports, a series of treads pivoted to thetread-supports of one stile and slidably connected to the tread-supportsof the other stile, jointed braces connecting the stiles, and means tolimit the spreading movement of the stiles caused by straightening thebraces.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE W. BUSS. Witnesses:

LoUIs 0. SMITH, BERTHA F. HEUSER.

